Rocket sleds shot down these tracks have tested an amazing variety of military
and space Administration gear at realistic speeds to determine how they will
respond at mission speeds and the strains of launch and braking.
The search
of the 0/0 rocket ejection seat across many airframes was tested and proved.
Aircraft parts, Missile engines, spacecraft boosters, All covered by hi
speed cameras so that analysis is immediately available.

Pictured above is the SNORT range illustrating the size of the test range.
On the right is the development of a Chapparal missile array developed for
the US Army comprised of multiple Siedwinder 1 C missiles.

Rocket powered sleds shot down narrow gauge tracks on shoes of magnesium braked
by a small channel of water and a probe. Rapec or other rocket assisted
ejection seats being tested, aircraft parts tested, high speed cameras to
completely record an event which takes just milliseconds. Big boom fast tracks
and lots of money make this a conitinuing effort which pays off in saved
lives and dependable weapons.

At the risk of really making someone with a mission angry I gotta say that at China
Lake they play with some of the greatest "Boy Toys" I have ever seen.
They make things go boom in the nite and what guy wouldn't like a piece of that
action. Of course that is a rather uneducated analogy but it strikes me
as the one that impresses me the most.

I have on occasion had
a reason to use one or two of the weapons developed and tested at China Lake and
they worked to a "T". For a military man a weapon that works faultlessly
is a real blessing. I know many of my fellow Marines who have been so
blessed.